Legalizing Gay Marriage In America

The United States of America was founded as a secular sanctuary for ideals like freedom, equality, and tolerance – few will argue against that. Over its history American culture has radically evolved as it strived to meet the ideals its nation was based upon, making changes like ending slavery and providing legal equality for women and minorities, changes that at the time seemed absurd but today are unquestionable merits that define what an “American” is. The quest to reach the ultimate utopian society continues today as true Americans fight the evils of ignorance, stubborn bigotry and the fear to change that still manifest themselves in a large portion of U.S. citizens, preventing this nation from moving forward. One of the outstanding minorities still left to be granted the ideals of freedom, equality, and tolerance are homosexuals trying to obtain the right to marry the person they want to spend the rest of their life with, regardless of gender. Same-sex marriages should be recognized in the eyes of the U.S. government in accordance with its responsibility to provide all American citizens equal freedoms.

In recent years, the debate over same-sex marriage has grown into a nationwide controversy, reverberating into the halls of congress, at the white house, in dozens of state and legislature and courtrooms, and in the rhetoric of election campaigns at both the national and state levels. As the debate rages on, the American religious community remains deeply divided over the issue, and over the morality of homosexuality. The debate has grown from an issue that occasionally arose in a few states to a national and even worldwide controversy.

Gay marriage is not the only issue that is being discussed throughout America involving the gay community. In a particular study done by USA Today, results showed that when Americans were asked if they think homosexual relationships between consenting adults should be legal, 46% answered yes (“USA Today” 6). However, when asked if they would then favor a law that would allow homosexuals to get married, only 24% were in favor (6). This survey also showed the differences of peoples’ ideas based on if they attended church or not (6). The results showed that 73% of Americans who attend church weekly oppose the legalization of gay marriage and only 38% of those who don’t attend church oppose legalization (6). These results show that for many Americans, marriage is a religious agreement, but for many others, marriage is a right that should be given to all who want to partake in it.

While some states have began to embrace the civil rights of all American people and allowing both hetero- and homo-sexual couples to marry, some states have done quite the opposite and banned same sex marriages and unions. Not all Americans feel so strongly about legalizing same sex marriage. Those against same sex marriage believe marriage has been defined as being between a man and a woman. However, that has not always been true, as explained in the beginning of this paper, the ancient people commonly wed the same gender and them and also had same sex sexual relations (ProCon.org). In fact in the first century Nero the Emperor of Rome married at least two of his lovers who were men (Chastain 19.) It was not until Christianity became a wide spread religion that sodomy and homosexuality became immoral. Those who oppose the legalization of gay marriage also believe that same sex marriage will threaten the institution of marriage. Marriages since 2011 have been at a new low, with only 52 percent of adults being married (Yen). However gays are fighting for the right to marry who they love, while heterosexual couples take that for granted. Divorce rates are currently lingering around 40-50% that is without gays being able to be married in many states. By allow homosexuals to marry their significant others, it will allow for a stronger bond and maybe bring back life into the deteriorating world of marriage. In states that do allow for same sex marriages, their divorce rates are

Like freedom of religion, there should be freedom of marriage. Having the ability to practice whichever region best suits you without someone judging you or without the government saying you have to practice a certain religion is freedom. Not being able to marry someone you love because the government thinks it violates natural law is discrimination. If we aren't able to discriminate against race what makes it acceptable to discriminate against homosexuals? Equality is a right that is protected by the United States Constitution and it needs to be enforced with gay marriage. Homosexuals and heterosexuals are both people. They both eat, sleep, walk,

Based on a 2015 poll, 39% of Americans are against the idea of gay marriage (Changing Attitudes). However, this opinion fails to take into account that the United States characterizes itself with the phrase “Liberty and Justice for all.” Where is the liberty and justice for same-sex couples? Gay marriage is not something that Americans can dismiss without taking into consideration the economical boost that takes place because of it, the freedom of religion the United States promises and the rights that come along with it, and more importantly, the human beings who are affected that deserve liberty and equality just like the rest of the nation

Who are we to deny members of our community the right to marry because they are of thesame sex and their beliefs differ from ours? In the final analysis, love is love and is not dependent on gender.

What is the definition of marriage? The dictionary states it as being the legal union between a man and a woman as husband and wife. However, times are changing as the gay life style becomes more accepted by society it is time to allow all couples regardless of sex to enjoy equal protections, rights and benefits under the law. Perhaps, it makes the most sense to consider arguments against same sex marriage to realize why it should be legalized; these arguments touch upon a broad array of issues including: parenting, religion and morality, procreation, rights and benefits, and values and institute of marriage.

“I think the best day will be when we no longer talk about being gay or straight… It’s not a gay wedding, it’s just a wedding… it’s not a gay marriage it’s just a marriage.”(Pink). Gay marriage is a right that should be open to anyone in any state. The constitution does not state that same-sex marriage is unethical. Many people see gay marriage as something that is unlawful when in reality gay marriage just the same as opposite-sex marriage. Same-sex couples should be able to be married because they deserve equal rights, and they are also great parents and legalizing gay marriage would help reduce gay teen suicide.

Marriage is a way that many people express their love to each other, showing how strong a commitment one can have towards another person. In recent years, the idea of what constitutes a married couple has changed. Traditionally, a man and a woman get married and live happily ever after. Over time, we have seen men and women of different colors and get married, as well as people of the same gender. Marriage has changed and has become such a huge topic of conversation and debate. Homosexual marriages have now become legal in all the U.S. I do not support gay marriages because homosexual couples should not have the right to get married, homosexual couples should not adopt without being judged, and also should not have the same financial benefits

Everyone has feelings, and love is the best feeling in the world. Love has an ability that it can make people angry, happy or upset, but why all these emotions come out? Only because of love, which is in everywhere all around the world. People love each other is totally a right thing, and also there is no mistake in love. There is another people that they are not general—people also call them gay or lesbian. That is no doubt that they are normal people just like us. Yet people do not have acceptance to them and people also call each other faggots, only because that our culture founded from oppression. Therefore, gay marriage, or homosexual marriage becomes a problem because of religion, law or oppression and so on to some regions like a part of The United States that is quite traditional. And how to legalize homosexual marriage and how to get to the acceptation of other people, that is the hardest possible which are we have to do for homosexual people.

I do! The marriage of homosexual couples is a hot topic right now. Many politicians have changed their position from against homosexual marriage to for homosexual marriage. These politicians include Senator (Sen.) Rob Portman, former President Bill Clinton, and current President Barack Obama ("Political flip-floppers," 2014). The federal and state governments need to support same sex marriages the same as they support opposite sex marriages. Legalization of same sex marriages legitimizes the couple’s equality in society, strengthens family health, and is an intrinsic right for all citizens.

I was taught that marriage was between a man and a woman; I held that belief for many years until I came to the United States of America. Many people believe that same sex marriage is wrong because of personal beliefs, religions or their sexual orientations. Others might ask why gay marriage should be legalized, but my question is: why should other people be able to choose who marries who? If a man and a woman get married, no one seems to care. They are two people who feel affection for one another and those two people want to start a family and have a happy life. If we change the scenario a little bit and a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, try to get married it causes uproar, they are not allowed to be married or raise a family

Frank Ocean said “I believe that marriage is not between a man and women; but between love and love” and i could not agree more. American Philosopher, Alan Gewirth 's "Principles of Generic Consistency, once said, "everyone should have the same freedom as long as it does not interfere with anyone 's else 's similar freedom.” We should all be allowed to marry who we want, even if it does not satisfy someone else’s beliefs. There has been many arguments on whether or not same sex marriage should be legalized throughout the world but in reality, why should it matter? like every marriage there are pros and cons that everyone should be aware of, there should be no discrimination because of someone 's preference and gender identity, also because marriage is a human right, and because marrying who you want to is a part of your privacy.

Same-sex marriage has been a long debated issue in the United States. Since the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in countries such as Holland, Belgium, and Canada American gay couples have been pushing harder for equal marriage rights under the law. Opponents claim that allowing same-sex unions would not only lead to less stable marriages and higher divorce rates for heterosexual couples, but also precipitate an economic crisis. Marriage is intended to be the mechanism by which humans divide and pass on property; same-sex marriage disrupts the traditional practice of passing property on to one’s children. (Allen, 961) However, the breakdown in the economic and social fabric opponents of same-sex marriage fear will not occur. Research shows that same-sex unions greatly benefit the economy at several levels and in many ways. I believe that legalizing same-sex marriage will boost the nations economy by tax revenues, adoption fess, and increases in tourism.